Winding apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus are disclosed for producing a composite multiwire structure by helically wrapping at least one wire structure about a core element and, prior thereto, imparting undulating longitudinal movement to the wire structure at a point located closely to the point of wrapping to effectively control torsion naturally induced in the wire structure during the wrapping operation.

United States Patent Gilmore 1 June 27, 1972 [731 Assignee: AmericanChain & Cable Company, Inc.,

New York, NY.

[22] Filed: March 27, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 23,432

[52] U.S.Cl. ..57/17,57/l9,57/i66 [51] Int. Cl. ..D07b 3/04 [58] FieldoiSearch ..57/17, 19, 3,6,9,13,15, 57/139,l44,145,156,l60,161,166,137,138,18, 59

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,036,393 4/1936 Briggs...57/9 1,972,290 9/1934 Conner ..57/9

Ill 11111 i llllil 2,292,971 8/1942 Rairden ..57/161 X 1,906,543 5/1933Conner ..5 7/9 3,142,145 7/1964 Blanchard... ....57/9 1,843,075 1/1932Angeli ..57/17 2,416,076 2/1947 Uh1er.... ..57/17 2,805,539 9/1957 Burr..57/18 2,920,437 1/1960 Stark ..57/17 Primary Examiner-Donald E.Watkins Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor and Adams [57] ABSTRACTMethod and apparatus are disclosed for producing a composite multiwirestructure by helically wrapping at least one wire structure about a coreelement and, prior thereto, imparting undulating longitudinal movementto the wire structure at a point located closely to the point ofwrapping to effectively control torsion naturally induced in the wirestructure during the wrapping operation.

1 1 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures WINDINGAPPARATUS AND METHOD BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION Multiwire strands generally include an inner load bearingcore element and a plurality of round wires wrapped helically in one ormore layers about the core element. For mechanical application, theround wires are usually made of high yield strength material. Typically,a plurality of these strands are themselves wrapped helically about asuitable core element which may itself be a multiwire strand to producea wire rope or cable structure.

In the fabrication of multiwire strands or multistrand ropes of the typedescribed, a twisting action is imparted to the individual wire orstrand between the point of closing and the supply spool as it is beingwrapped about the core element. This twisting action results in thebuild-up of induced torsional stress in the wire or strand; and thisstress becomes additive creating the danger of eventual breakage,snarling or other malfunction of the wire or strand during the strandingoperation. To overcome this problem stranding equipment normallyassociated with the wire rope industry presently utilize what iscommonly referred to as planetary action to accomplish basic strandingand closing of wire and strand elements about a core element. Withplanetary action, a line drawn radially outward from the center axis ofthe wire or strand to intersect a given point on the circumference ofthe wire or strand would always extend in the same direction as the wireor strand is being wound about the core element. In other words, if aline were scribed on the top of the wire or strand as it was being payedout from the supply spool, that line would contact the surface of thecore element (at its lowest point) only once in every lay length andwould be spaced farthest i.e. at a distance equal to the diameter of thewire or strand) from the surface of the core element at l80 of wrap orone half the lay length as measured from the point at which the scribedline contacts the core element.

Costly and complex cradles and planetary devices used in planetarywinding machines restrict their usefulness from the standpoint ofgeneral application and render the use of such machines economicallyfeasible only for large production runs and large manufacturing.concerns. In addition, because conventional planetary winders of thetype described are quite large in size and mass the speeds at which theycan be operated is likewise restricted thus making their general use andinstallation even more economically unattractive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention, method and apparatus are provided for making a compositemultiwire structure by continuously wrapping one or more wirestructures'helically about a longitudinal axis in a simple, efficient,and economical manner. The wrapping of each wire structure is effectedin a non-planetary fashion and in such a way that the build-up ofinduced torsion in the wire structure is effectively controlled. Eachwire structure of the composite multiwire structure which is wrapped inthis manner may be a single wire or, in certain cases, a multiwirestructure.

In the presently preferred embodiment of this invention the compositemultiwire structure is formed by helically wrapping at least one wirestructure about a longitudinal axis defined by a longitudinally movingcore element as the wire structure is advanced along a predeterminedpath converging with the path of movement of the core element.Advantageously, a plurality of single element wire structures arehelically wrapped in side-by-side relationship about the core element toform a single layer of a composite strand structure. The actual wrappingis accomplished by simultaneously moving the core element in alongitudinal direction and rotating each wire structure in anon-planetary fashion about the moving core element to effect thehelical wrap at the point of convergence of the wire structures and thecore element.

For controlling the amount of torsion induced in the wire structure dueto its rotational movement about the core element, torsion isolationmeans through which each wire structure is directed is disposed in thepath of travel of the wire structure between its supply spool and thepoint at which it converges with the core element. This means is locatedin closely spaced relationship to the point of convergence between thewire structure and the core element and comprises a plurality ofpressure rollers engaging either side of the wire structure. Theserollers exert pressure on the wire structure in generally opposingdirections transverse to the direction of movement of the wire structuretoward the core element. Also, the rollers engaging one side of the wirestructure are disposed alternately in relation to the rollers engagingthe other side of the wire structure in such a manner that undulatingmovement is imparted to the wire structure in a zone located upstreamand relatively near to the point at which the wire structure is wrappedabout the core element.

With this arrangement, the torsion induced in the individual wirestructure is contained in the zone between the pressure rollers and thepoint of convergence or closing. This forces the wire structure toabsorb the torsional stress as it is being wrapped about the coreelement. Also, because of the relatively short distance between thepressure rollers and the point of closing, the induced torsion does notbecome additive and hence it is possible to continuously wrap the wirestructure about the core element without danger of breakage of the wirestructure in torsion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustrationof apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation view, partially broken away, of theapparatus employed to isolate torsion induced in the wire structure asit is being wrapped about the core element.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1, there isshown apparatus for continuously wrapping two wire structures 1 and 1about a longitudinal axis in helical relationship to produce a compositemultiwire structure. In the presently preferred embodiment ofthisinvention the wire structures 1 and 1' are wrapped about a coreelement 2 which is disposed along the longitudinal axis. As is clearfrom FIG. 1, the apparatus for wrapping the wire 1' is substantiallyidentical to that for wrapping the wire 1. Accordingly, the parts of theapparatus for wrapping wire 1 corresponding to like parts of theapparatus for wrapping wire 1 will be designated by the same referencenumerals with the suffix prime Also, the following description of theinvention will be made primarily with respect to wrapping of the wire 1,it being understood that such description applies equally to thewrapping of wire 1'.

The wire structure 1 is made of high yield strength material and maycomprise a single round wire or, alternatively, a multiwire structurecomprising a plurality of helically wound single round wires. Likewise,the core element 2 may comprise a single wire or a multiwireconstruction. The wire structure 1 is made of high yield strengthmaterial in the sense that it resists bending or will not easily take apermanent set. An example of such material is steel. Where the wirestructure 1 is multiwired, as for example with a strand, wrapping aboutthe core will, depending on the direction of wrap of the individualwires of the strand, tend to either tighten the wires of the strand orunwrap them. Accordingly, this should be taken into account whenwrapping strands about the core so that the strands chosen will have theproper characteristics permitting such wrapping.

The core element 2 is moved longitudinally in the direction indicated byarrow 3 by suitable drive means (not shown). The wire structure I is fedfrom supply spool 4 and trained around guide sheave 5 and then directedthrough torsion isolation means, comprising a plurality of rollers 6, ina path converging toward a predetermined point along the path ofmovement of the core element. At the point of convergence, the wirestructure 1 is helically wrapped about the core element as shown in FIG.1.

The supply spool 4 is advantageously mounted for rotation about an axiscoincident with the axis of the core element 2. The guide sheave S androllers 6 are rotatably mounted on a support member 7 disposed inradically spaced relation to the core element and extending generallyparallel to the direction of movement of the core element. The supportmember 7 is mounted for rotation about the moving core elemen t by abearing support 8 disposed concentrically about the core element. Drivemotor 9 is operatively connected by suitable gearing 10, 10a to thesupport member 7 to rotate it about the core element. Advantageouslydriven gear 10a, bearing support 8, and spool 4 are hollow through theircentral portion to permit free passage of the core element 2.

With the construction described above, the rotating wire structure 1 ispayed out from the supply spool 4 and helically wrapped about the coreelement at the point at which it converges with the core element (pointof convergence or closing). However, the supply spool 4 has no planetarymotion about the core element; and only the wire structure after beingdirected radially away from the spool, is rotated about the core elementto effect the wrapping.

As the wire structure 1 is rotated about the cored element 2 in themanner described to efiect the helical wrap, it has a tendency to becometwisted. This twist is initially confined to a vicinity near the pointof closing. However, upon continued rotation of the wire structure aboutthe core element, this twist gradually tends to work itself back to thesupply spool 4 and cause a build-up of resulting torsional stress overthe entire length of the wire structure between the supply spool 4 andits point of convergence with the core element. Ifthis torsional stressis not effectively controlled, the wire structure will eventually becaused to break at some point along its length, become unalterablysnarled, or otherwise interrupt proper operation of the strandingapparatus.

With the present invention, torsion isolation means comprising theplurality of grooved pressure rollers 6 effectively controls the torsioninduced in the wire structure during the wrapping operation and preventsundesirable torsional feedback through the apparatus. As shown in thedrawings, the pressure rollers engage either side of the wire structure1 at a closely spaced location relative to the point of convergence orclosing of the wire structure 1 with the moving core element 2. Therollers engaging one side of the wire structure are disposed in relationto the rollers engaging in opposite side of the wire structure in such amanner as to produce an undulating movement to the wire structure 1. Dueto the location of the rollers, this undulation is produced in a zonelocated upstream and relatively near the point at which the wirestructure is wrapped about the core element. As shown, the rollersengaging one side of the wire structure are also arranged alternatelywith respect to the rollers engaging the other side of the wirestructure so that each portion of the wire 1 passing through the rollers6 is in contact with at least one of the rollers. The rollers 6 act toapply pressure to the wire structure in generally opposing directionstransverse to its path of travel toward the core element. The wirestructure 1 is therefore subjected to increased tension in that portionof its length passing between the rollers, with compressive forces beingexerted on the wire structure at the pressure points between opposingpairs of rollers.

Due to the undulating action imparted to the wire structure 1 by itsundulated path and due to the pressure exerted on the wire structurebetween opposing pairs of rollers, induced torsion is effectivelycontained in the zone A extending between the pressure rollers 6 and thepoint of convergence of the wire structure 1 with the core element 2.Feedback of resultant torsion into the region upstream of the pressurerollers 6 is thereby effectively inhibited in a controlled manner. As aresult, the wire structure 1 is forced to absorb torsional stressexisting in zone A as it is wrapped about the core element 2.

Accord gly, any torsion existing in zone A does not become additive andit is, therefore, possible to continuously wrap the wire about the coreelement without danger of breakage of the wire structure in torsion orother malfunction of the wire structure in other areas of the apparatus.

With the apparatus of the present invention the supply spool 4 is ableto be mounted with its axis coinciding with the center axis of the coreelement. This relieves the support member 7 of weight which it wouldotherwise carry were the supply spool to be cradled on the supportmember as is generally the case with conventional planetary windingequipment. Furthermore, because of the separate operating positions ofthe supply spool and support member, the rotating support member 7 is ofconsiderably less size and complexity thereby permitting it to berotated at higher and more economical speeds than existing planetarywinding equipment. Moreover, the use of costly spool cradles and otherplanetary devices required with conventional planetary winding equipmentis advantageously eliminated.

lCLAlM:

1. Apparatus for wrapping at least one wire structure about alongitudinal axis to produce a composite multiwire structure having anabsorbed torsional stress comprising:

a. means for directing each wire structure from a supply along a pathconverging at a predetermined point along said axis;

. means for rotating each wire structure about said axis as it is beingadvanced toward the point of convergence to helically wind the wirestructure at said point with an induced torsion; and

. torsion isolation means disposed along the converging path of travelof said wire structure for isolating torsion in said wire structure tothe portion disposed downstream thereof.

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said torsion isolation means is located in closely spaced relationshipto said point of convergence.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said torsion isolation meansincludes:

a. means for applying pressure to each wire structure in generallyopposing directions transverse to its direction of travel to therebyimpart undulating movement to each wire structure as it is advancedtoward said point of convergence, said means compressively engaging eachwire structure during said undulating movement.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for applyingpressure to each wire structure comprises:

a. a plurality of spaced rollers engaging one side of each wirestructure; and

b. a plurality of spaced rollers engaging the other side of each wirestructure, the rollers engaging the one side of each wire structurebeing aligned between the rollers engaging the other side of each wirestructure.

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein:

. the rollers of said torsion isolation means are in compressiveengagement with each wire structure.

. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:

. each roller of the torsion isolation means compressively engages thewire structure against the next downstream roller.

. Apparatus according to claim 6 further including:

spool means for said supply having an axis of rotation which iscoincident with the axis of the composite multiwire structure.

Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: means for feeding acore wire structure along said longitudinal axis.

9. A method for wrapping at least one wire structure about alongitudinal axis to produce a composite multiwire structure having anabsorbed torsional stress comprising the steps of:

a. directing each wire structure from a supply along a path convergingat a predetermined point along said axis;

b. rotating each wire structure about said axis as it is beingcompressive forces during said undulating movement.

advanced toward the point of convergence to helically 10. The methodaccording to claim 9 wherein: wind the wire structure at said point withan induced tora. each wire structure is fed from a supply coil mountedfor sion; rotation about an axis coincident with said longitudinal c.isolating torsion in said wire structure to the portion 5 aXiS- disposeddownstream of and spaced from upply 11. The method according to furtherincluding the subjecting each wire structure to pressure in generallyop- P a. feeding a core element along said axis as each wire structureis rotated thereabout.

l 0 i l il posing directions transverse to its direction of travel alongsaid converging path to provide undulating movement thereto andsubjecting said wire structure to opposed

1. Apparatus for wrapping at least one wire structure about alongitudinal axis to produce a composite multiwire structure having anabsorbed torsional stress comprising: a. means for directing each wirestructure from a supply along a path converging at a predetermined pointalong said axis; b. means for rotating each wire structure about saidaxis as it is being advanced toward the point of convergence tohelically wind the wire structure at said point with an induced torsion;and c. torsion isolation means disposed along the converging path oftravel of said wire structure for isolating torsion in said wirestructure to the portion disposed downstream thereof.
 2. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein: a. said torsion isolation means is locatedin closely spaced relationship to said point of convergence. 3.Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said torsion isolation meansincludes: a. means for applying pressure to each wire structure ingenerally opposing directions transverse to its direction of travel tothereby impart undulating movement to each wire structure as it isadvAnced toward said point of convergence, said means compressivelyengaging each wire structure during said undulating movement. 4.Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for applying pressureto each wire structure comprises: a. a plurality of spaced rollersengaging one side of each wire structure; and b. a plurality of spacedrollers engaging the other side of each wire structure, the rollersengaging the one side of each wire structure being aligned between therollers engaging the other side of each wire structure.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein: a. the rollers of said torsion isolationmeans are in compressive engagement with each wire structure. 6.Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein: a. each roller of the torsionisolation means compressively engages the wire structure against thenext downstream roller.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 furtherincluding: a. spool means for said supply having an axis of rotationwhich is coincident with the axis of the composite multiwire structure.8. Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: a. means forfeeding a core wire structure along said longitudinal axis.
 9. A methodfor wrapping at least one wire structure about a longitudinal axis toproduce a composite multiwire structure having an absorbed torsionalstress comprising the steps of: a. directing each wire structure from asupply along a path converging at a predetermined point along said axis;b. rotating each wire structure about said axis as it is being advancedtoward the point of convergence to helically wind the wire structure atsaid point with an induced torsion; c. isolating torsion in said wirestructure to the portion disposed downstream of and spaced from saidsupply by subjecting each wire structure to pressure in generallyopposing directions transverse to its direction of travel along saidconverging path to provide undulating movement thereto and subjectingsaid wire structure to opposed compressive forces during said undulatingmovement.
 10. The method according to claim 9 wherein: a. each wirestructure is fed from a supply coil mounted for rotation about an axiscoincident with said longitudinal axis.
 11. The method according toclaim 10 further including the step of: a. feeding a core element alongsaid axis as each wire structure is rotated thereabout.